Prepare your ice cream maker and bowl according to manufacturer’s instructions.To make the ice cream: combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat off and allow to cool at room temperature before placing in the fridge for another couple of hours. Once chilled, pour the mixture into the ice cream mixing bowl and assemble your unit. Churn for 15 minutes of until the ice cream is frozen and ready.
Spoon ice cream into your cone moulds and place in the freezer to set, cover with plastic film to prevent freezer burn.To assemble the hats: pour about 2 tablespoons of Ice Magic onto a sheet of grease proof paper and spread to make a circle. Repeat to make one more. Place in the freezer to set.
In the meantime, unmould pumpkin ice cream cones. Remove the chocolate discs from the freezer and turn the cones out onto the middle of the discs. Pour over extra Ice magic to cover the entire ice cream cone and allow to set. Serve immediately.

Roasting Pumpkin Seeds begins with the meticulously cleaning of the seeds. There should be no sign of pumpkin guts remaining on the seeds. An easy way to remove the guts from the seeds is to pull all out and place in a big bowl of water and using your hands break the seeds apart. The seeds will float to the top of the water.

After the seeds are clean they should be boile for 10 minutes in salt water. When the pot boils reduce heat to a simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes over low medium heat. This method produces a crispy outer shell during roasting however, this step is optional and the seeds will still turn out lovely.

Drain the seeds in a colander and towel dry lightly. The seeds may stick to the towel but simply easily knock these off Just lightly dry they do not have to be thoroughly dried.

Spread seeds on a baking sheet drizzle about 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil on the seeds Rub oil into seeds and sprinkle with salt. Spread the seeds out as thin as possible and try not to overlap seeds.

Roast seeds at 325 for 10 minutes. Remove seeds from oven and stir. Roast another 10 minutes , during last 5 minutes of roasting, remove seeds and crack open to make sure the inner seeds are not burning. Cool take a taste test the seeds are ready when the shell is super crispy and easy to bite through The seeds should be golden but not brown.

Sprinkle some more salt on the seeds and time to enjoy and share with family and friends. Yummy!!

Friday, October 30, 2015

Holding four pipe cleaners, fold in half and then secure center with either black tape or another section of pipe cleaner. An inch from center, bend each leg down and then position legs as need to make spider-like, bending as desired. Glue pompom onto center and when dry, attach wiggly eyes. These can also be made in various sizes by just altering the lengths of the pipe cleaners ... so you have a little army of spiders for your Halloween table.

Costumes: choose facepaint rather than a mask as it will be better for the child to breathe and see. I also know from experience that the mask never stays on long and come off often and just adds something else for the parent to carry

homemade face paint recipe

Baby lotion

Baby powder or corn starch

Tempera powder, various colors

Cups or bowls

Paintbrushes

A spoon

Optional:

Cotton swabs

Mirror

Paper towels or tissue

Squeeze some baby lotion into a cup. We used about 1 Tablespoon per cup. Add tempera powder to the baby lotion. We used about 1/2 teaspoon per cup. Mix together until blended. Add baby powder or corn starch to thicken paint and help it dry faster. We used about 1-2 teaspoons per cup. Mix well.
source here

Carry a flashlight and if possible some glow in dark jewelry, bracelet or a glow stick will help others to see child better as well as offer a bit of light so child can see path better

Check to see what preset hours are for trick or treating and try to abide by them. Having a pre-planned route helps as well

Do not eat candy along the route wait til get home to inspect. Toss any treats that are unwrapped or damaged. If homemade treats are from some where that you do not know they should be tossed as well

Being the leader of any thing is not an easy job. Being the leader of a church better known as the pastor, preacher, reverend and so many other titles. October is set aside as the month as pastor appreciation month.

Ideas to help show your appreciation:

personal notes of encouragement go a long way. Let the pastor know that you do appreciate him and pray for him and his family.

Have the children in the church present a collage of their art created for the pastor. It may also be a good idea to have the students sign the piece of art work. The gift will keep giving watch the young children grow up in the church

Present a picture of the church or church congregation to the pastor. The framed picture would be even better if the members were able to somehow sign their name or family name

Get the pastors wife in on the gift. Using her input make offer the pastors office or buy needed materials that the pastor needs for his job. A coat of fresh paint, updated décor, new furniture, new commentaries, or computer upgrade would all make nice gifts.

Send a gift basket of the pastors favorite snacks. Host a church dinner in the pastors honor.

The pastor is God's servant and as the flock we should respect and appreciate His servant. Do something whether small or big to show how much you appreciate your pastor.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

The last Friday in October has long been known as Frankenstein Friday. This is the day to celebrate the birth of Frankenstein and Mary Wollenstone Shelley (the author of Frankenstein). Frankenstein was created in 1818 when Marry Shelley was the mere age of 21. Celebrate the day by reading the novel Frankenstein or watching the movie. You could also create a tasty dessert like these Frankenstein pudding cups

These are super easy to make by tinting vanilla pudding with a bit of green food coloring. The face is drawn onto the cup itself and the topping is crushed oreos.

These two young men belong to a co-worker of mine. She always has great fun with them. At their school this week they are celebrating spirit week. Today was salute to steve urkle. Do you all remember the urkle shuffle??

Here is an idea for an alternative to all the sugary sweets that are given out. The color of the fruit is perfect and with a marker it is so easy to draw jack-o lantern faces. Now give as treats to whomever you have in mind. Enjoy!!!

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Dress up those old drawers for the holidays. With a little chalkboard paint you could easily create a few knobs that will attractively share the name of the dish that you are serving the guest. Yes, there is new use for those old misplaced odd sized drawers. They can easily be purchased at flea markets, yard sales, thrift shops or many other second hand stores.

When I was a kid my favorite great aunt would make goodies for us kids each holiday. Now as a nana I do the same for my little ones. Memories as sweet as I have kept for years is what I want our little ones to have as well. With these goodies I am hoping my goal is one that will be met. Make up some for your special little goblin and enjoy

Cookie

1 cup Butter Flavored Crisco

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract

3 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting

2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1-2 tablespoon milk

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Food coloring of your choice

Cookies

In a large bowl sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside. In a large mixing bowl cream together Butter Flavored Crisco with sugar, eggs and almond extract until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour mixture into to creamed butter until well blended. Separate dough into to small balls and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for two hours. Set oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface roll each dough ball out until 1/4 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes and place on lined cookie sheets. Bake 5 - 7 minutes or until edges start to turn a light brown. Remove cookies and cool on wire rack.

Frosting

In a small bowl combine confectioners' sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk. You may need to add more milk until it is at a spreading consistency. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until frosting is smooth and glossy. If the frosting is to thick add a little bit more corn syrup until it is a spreading consistency. Divide frosting into separate bowl and color as desired. Spread frosting on cooled cookies and let set until frosting is hard.

When the weather outside is not fit to ride your bike or head outside and play it becomes the perfect time to stay inside and read a book. The pages of a book can take you somewhere, teach you something or make you wonder what it was like to live so long ago or what the future may be. Here are some great books to share with your child this fall

Have you ever wondered why leaves change colors?? Now while I would love to believe they change colors for my entertainment there truly is a better answer. This Harper Collins Book takes a look at leaves in different sizes, shapes and seasons.

This is a great book for early readers and the pre-schooler. It tells the story of a young fox who is not sure what to do when fall comes and the tree begins to have its leaves turn brown and fall off. Discover what happens and what the little fox will do

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf walks through the different aspects in a trees life. It allows the young reader to see the world differently. Have you ever imagined the life of a tree and the different seasons it travels through??

This amusing book about the squirrel and his first fall. Oh my the cover shows just a glimpse into the book where the school experiences the new season and all that comes with it

Proofreading has never been more fun than in this fun fall mix up book. So many things are going on the only problem is all has been messed up. Help your child find the fun mistakes and correct them

No matter what it is you choose to read to your child this fall the thing is choose to read something. The world grows for the child that reads. Leaning to read is to me one of the most important lessons of all times.

Combine and mix with electric mixer first five ingredients to create cheese ball. Cover and set for one hour. Assemble feet by taking a toothpick through 6 olive and pimentos and insert to bottom of cheese ball. Insert a tortilla chip on each side of cheese ball to create ears. Slice thin mini carrots and cut into jagged pieces to create mouth. Using a toothpick, insert pepperoncini to create nose. Using tooth picks, insert olives for mouth. Use the broccoli spears to create hair. Serve with crackers or vegetables

Sunday, October 25, 2015

The skies over southern Illinois is full of brilliant colors tonight. This picture taken by a friend of mine does not even do it justice. The brilliant colors of purple and pink in a motion that only monet or one of the great artist would have known. Painted so elegantly in God's coloring book so that we can all enjoy.

The Fixer: The Naked Man is the first book in a new suspense series by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

The story has roots when Katerina's father bailed on the family and the commitment he made not only Katerina but the family has been left behind. Katerina now finds her tuition is due and Katerina who does not give up easily must figure out what to do. When the opportunity to become a "fixer" comes up she jumps on it. As a "fixer" she will make problems go away for a price

The character of Katerina is one of means. Her personality is spunky and go getter but she has times where she has her own share of doubts and tears but refuses to give in. The role of a fixer pays well which will give her the money she wants and needs. She has a bit of experience of shady dealings. While Katerina is the main character secondary characters who are mysterious, suspenseful and intriguing all help bring the story to life.

Katerina is able to play off the role amongst her friends who are community helpers of nurses and cops and her parents who are different from her as well allows you to see that she was offered a life style one way but take in her ethics, needs and dilemma she does what she has to do.

Want a good book tha will keep you coming back for more?? In my opinion that would be The Fixer.